Thoughts on a beautiful windy day

I have been reading and studying on modesty. I can't really go anywhere without seeing some shameful way of dressing. True femininity and modesty seem to be lost in this generation. I long to see young ladies respect themselves and respect others around them. To run from lustful men and their advances.
Modesty isn't just about how much skin you reveal, it's on the inside too. You can be wearing clothes that cover but still reveal things more than it should; tight fabric that sticks to everything. I personally love to wear long, flowing skirts and a T shirt or a regular shirt with a cardigan. I feel so feminine and ladylike. But I don't wear these things just to wear them. It is my personal conviction about how I feel the Lord is wanting me to dress. I know a lot of truly godly women who wear jeans and other types of pants and I don't find fault with them at all. I think God needs to convict each one of us to wear what we need to wear and not because we tell them they have too.
It's not just about what you wear, but how you present yourself and act. The way you walk, the way you talk, and the way you carry yourself. The way we girls can move our bodies and silently communicate with our actions or bluntly and boldly saying things that should not be said by godly maidens is a huge stumbling block to men. We are meant to respect men and encourage them in the ways of the Lord, not make them fall. And not to carry ourselves with pride and vanity, thinking we are better than others. The Bible tells us to be humble and not prideful. 1 Peter 5:5-6 says, " Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." 
Being a maiden of the Lord is a wonderful thing. It's not always easy being set apart. But if your doing it for the Lord than it is absolutely worth it!! This a quote from the book I am reading and I love it!
"A healthy recognition of God's love for the people whom He has created and sanctified is one of the first steps to accurately viewing ourselves.
A godly maiden is wise enough to shun the enticement  of sugary lies and flattery. She is content in her calling as a pure and wholesome maiden of the Lord, and relies not on her own worth or goodness, but on the grace and mercy of a holy and righteous God. She is armed with the truth of God's Word, she delights in the fearful way in which she is made, and she fully understands that humility and the fear of the Lord are the only riches or honor she needs."
It's a challenge to look at your own life and to see where you are. I have learned a lot about being content in where I am and how the Lord wants me to be. I can't imagine being any other way. I love Jesus and I love following Him.
I have observed a lot of very loud, rude and bold girls and I am disgusted with it. It is the very opposite of what God has told us to be - A meek and quiet spirit: Humbleness. Girls seem to think that they have to flaunt themselves at boys and approach them boldly to get attention. That is not true at all! I pray that girls eyes are open to this lie. I long to see girls wait for their future husbands and to guard their minds, hearts , and bodies. Knowing that in doing this you are honoring God, you are honoring yourself, and you are honoring your future husband, even if you haven't met him yet.  Everything we do, think and say should glorify God. And if you are following Christ then you want to do what He wants and what He says. He is always here to help and to give you peace and contentment.
Well, this is all I can think to say at the moment. I'm thankful the Lord put this much on my mind.
Be blessed.

A very much needed update.

So it has been six months since I have been to Africa, and I must apologize to anyone reading for my procrastinating. The trip was so amazing, God has blessed me so much for that time. I saw so much happiness and joy in the faces of the children and so much sadness and pain also. I can't describe how my heart felt and love I felt for them. I was at a orphanage for three weeks and was very blessed to be there. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. Taking care of the babies was absolutely amazing, even amongst the hard times. I played, read, sang, changed diapers, brushed teeth, took care of, and played some more:) It was truly a blessing. I also spent five weeks in a village. O the joy I felt being there! My favorite thing was to pump and carry water for the children. Such a way to bond with them since they really didn't understand me. But to help work alongside them, take the heavy load for the time I was there. My family in Africa is such a blessing to me even now, when I haven't seen them in so long. What  I read from them is so encouraging.. I loved the African sunsets and sunrises. Oh the beauty and majesty in the Lords art work:) I loved being surrounded by trees and hills and more trees. My favorite was to just be with the kids. I so enjoyed watching them play and dance. I loved listening to them talk and to smile. To listen to them laugh and hold as many little brown hands as I could at a time. To love and comfort them, to laugh and play with them, and to work hard beside them.. I loved having tea or milk at night outside, looking at the stars. Thanking God that He brought me there. To have the kids near me as I taught them a new word, or listened as they taught me. Dancing in the poring rain, even as they laughed at me. I guess they thought me crazy, because they never go out into it unless they have to. Being inside the school as they were being taught. Going to church and worshiping the Lord. Watching the boys play the drums, and oh buddy, can they play!! I went to a hospital and saw so much death just lying there. People needing attention so badly, but none really being given. And that's just how it is over there. It broke my heart.. Anyway, God just blessed me so, and I will always be thankful. Even though I got jiggers (sand fleas that get in your cuts and lay eggs) and malaria. God was with me the WHOLE way and provided just what I needed. I am so thankful for essential oils! I am completely healed now. My insurance covered my hospital bill completely and my toe is just like new. GOD IS GOOD!! That is all I can write for now, we have company.

Change of Plans!

My plans have changed. I am not going to sonrise baby home anymore. Instead I'm going to Amani Baby Cottage. If you want to check it out, you can do so Here. 

I'm really excited and thrilled to get to play with, love on, help out with babies and toddlers. I'm so glad that I'm getting to go to a baby home. 

I'm leaving sooner than I thought. I'm leaving March first, to go to Dallas to meet up with the girl I'm going with. I was blessed to get to join Morgan on her trip, and I'm so excited! 

We will be staying at the baby cottage for 8 weeks, then going to stay a week in the remote village of Bugabo. 

I'll be returning May 3rd. I'm so happy that this trip will be much longer than the other one we were planning.

I still need to raise about $900-$1000 dollars, which is MUCH better than before. If I had gone to Sonrise baby home, I would still need about $2000. So this trip is more and more a blessing. And it hasn't even started yet!

You can still join the fundraiser that my sister is doing for me, you should check it out! You can do so here.

To everyone who has helped me out in this mission: THANK YOU!!!!!
Here's a picture of me and my nephew. :)

Thoughts and Updates.

This is just something that's been on my mind for a while. Being thankful. The Lord has blessed me beyond words, and I see it all the more, as I grow closer to Him.
  I'm thankful for the wonderful family he's given me. A roof over me, and good floors under me. A warm, comfortable bed. Good healthy food to eat. He's blessed me with friends who love me, and encourage me in my walk with the Lord.
  I'm not saying this to be boastful. It's just something that I think I should declare, not just think to myself.
 He is SO worthy of all the praise. He really is Jehovah-Jireh. My Provider.
 I am MOST thankful that Jesus has saved me! I couldn't imagine life any other way.
 Even though I'm going somewhere that doesn't have all the comforts that I have, from what I've come to know, they have JESUS, and that alone makes me thankful and joyful. :)

Update! My passport came in the mail yesterday!! WOO!! And I got my yellow fever shot yesterday (not so much of a woo). Things are moving along! I was VERY blessed with a donation of $200 this past week! SUCH a blessing. I am still about $2000 away from having all the money I need. If you would like to help me out, there's a cute little donation button at the top of the page :D

Peace be unto you all!